Editing SOUTHERN CHAPTERS (section)

===chapter # '''6''':1===
*  ''' "JOURNEY" ''',  February 24, 2007. 
** ''RECAP:''  <br> Today began the journey of our heroes.  They packed themselves and the mule Thorton aquired from Festrun, preparing to enter the world of the resistance.  Their self appointed mission - deliver the miracle hatchling (dragon) to their elven friend [http://wiki.rpg.net/index.php/ERANON#Friends Valendil].  The hope is Valendil will aid them in ferrying the creature of legend into hands of hope.  Utilizing the equipment supplied from Shadowwall, the troupe locks the ancient [[Midnight Power Nexux|Nexus]] but not before Kyaud casts "continual light" on the hearth.  <br> Moving into the wood, in fear of contact with the bear/crow beasts or the Chymera of old the team push on for a full day of hard travel.  They move north, planning a 2-3 day journey before rounding west toward the elven wood.  This takes them well outside the line of '''[[Cambrial]]''', City of the Dead and it's military outpost '''[[Staging]]'''.  But to do so they must cross-country and make their was over no less than two of the travel roads built for mass movement of Shadow troupe.  Before nightfall they come to the first.  The road is open, treeless on either side for 20-30 yards making anyone on the road targets of other travellers for several miles.  Eranon's elf eyes spy an Orc troupe having just passed continuing some 1-2 miles south.  Following the Shadow troupe and within ear/nose-shot of the heroes crossing point are a band of goblins (Sniffers mostly) that seem to be clearing the road of Boro, Horse, Worg and Orc dung.  Durgaz takes lead and rushes north to double back on the goblins, unfortunately the wind gives his movement away and the Sniffers spot him.  Reverting back to his Shadow-mind the huge Orc demands their reverance, for he was there to inspect their progress!  As Durgaz shows his finely tuned art of Diplomacy the team make their way un-molested some distance down the strip.  By the time Durgaz retreats to rejoin the group he has the Sniffer's Commander '''[[Fork the Goblin|Fork]]''' taking his gang on a fools erand up the track.  <br> Passing this treacherous task the group grows weary -  Durgaz, perhaps more frustrated with the weak humans, reluctantly agrees to make camp.  The ground has grown soft, wet and is fusing into the Marsh land known to permeate the wooded area of their destination...  The '''[[Dead Marshes]]'''.  The heroes note that no insect or vermin seem to be present anylonger, making the journey much more comfortable.  <br>  They would continue but not unmolested...  Kyuad had asked that his friend and arian companion [Neese] aid Durgaz in his scouting duty.  She flew high and far swinging back in for the Orc now and again.  But then Kyuad felt something wrong.  He fell to his knees, his heart beating and his breathing increased.  The others would ask him what was wrong but not before the flashes of horror urged from the emotional touch Kyuad shared with his familiar.  And then through the cloud cover the bird plummetted down on the unsuspecting party.  The horror was quick to follow - Without thought Eranon let loose with arrows, piercing the dead leather wings of a beast much like the wrymling they walked with... But it was not dragon - this beast was known in this area.  A beast called Wyvern, an undead pet of the Priest of Shadow's minions.  For his friend to survive Kyuad must concentrate and act fast...  "Unseen Hand" he uttered in the old words and with a spectral yank Neese would be saved as the dim beast tumbled toward the team.  Dodging the hulk the heroes felt the impact of the crater.  As they approached they saw only the twitch of undead wings.  Kyuad was the first to the crater-lip but out of nowhere Durgaz dove into action - ripping the dying beast's head from it's body in one hateful swing.  Standing in it's chest cavity, he and Kyuad surveyed the beast wondering why it would have attacked the lone bird...  As the others rallied the mule and their supplies Durgaz would find an answer - an odd eye literally within the belly of the beast.  Twisting and turning it stared at the heroes and then Durgaz "the seer" felt his soul rip from his body.  Unknowing where their Orc companion had gone the others inspect the dread eye.  Afraid to squash it for worry it would be dire to Durgaz, Kyuad ripped it from the gizzards ready to place in a box.  But when his fingers gripped the ball, the next thing he would remember is pulling his dagger from Eranon's gut!  With the tentacled eye captured the team began to pull themselves from the husk crater... Welcomed by a voice both elven and otherworldly.  Looking much like a Jungle Elf the black eyed gaunt warrior questioned the heroes.  His confusing tones soon waking the mezmerized Orc.  Upon waking Durgaz snatched the eye from the box squishing it to puss!  <br> The strange Elf would prove to be the first of what they assumed will be many to the crater site.  Apparently a passerby on his way to [[Midnight Alvadara|Alvedara]] in envoy for the Witch Queen!  Speaking in riddles the Elf, [[Midnight Ivilose|Ivilose]], happily watched as Eranon repacked the mule while Kyuad and Durgaz retrieved bits from the beast carcass.  The most strange of his utterings positioned Durgaz as "the one" and Kyuad as carrying "the word".  Saying goodbye to the Elf the team made way quickly to avoid any continued scout parties. <br> Near nightfall - Eranon, tired from masking the team's trail for a solid 10 hours askes that Durgaz find a dry and defensable campsite for the night.  He does.  What soon comes to be dubbed '''[[Satan's Rock]]''' is a perfect spot, a huge flat rock standing out of the marsh - a sunning spot for the crocadiles that make up the bulk wildlife of in area.  With a touch further inspection the group clearly see this rock isn't a natural formation.  Seemingly carved by goblins, it is a crude representation of the Shadow In The North.  An un-holy symbol of the skull of the Dark God.  Two spires some 10-12' tall stand for the sharp eyes of the skull and a "fire-pit" rests in the center.  Thorton spurs the thought and soon the group realizes that this must be some ancient unholy spot for ritual, worship, orgy, and evil - funnelling that energy toward the '''[[Obsidian Spire]]''' in the Dead Marshes.  Seeing that it was in disrepair and likely not used in some years the group is content to stay for the night/moment dry...  They talk about the events of the last week.  The events that seem to compell their grouping.  Durgaz and Kyuad make connections from visions of the Orc and the [[lorebook]] of Kyuad regarding a man called '''[[Vrolk]]''', '''[[Cambrial]]''', '''[[the Obsidian Spire]]''', the '''[[Dead Marshes]]''', and more.  As the others listen Thorton begins to see the resemblance of one of the spires of the eye of the rock to a mountain... a mountain of fire... a "Fire Peak".  This combined with the other eye-spire looking much like the Obsidian Spire from Durgaz's visions chill the group and they realize that the normal temperature has dropped some 30 degrees since sundown!  Thorton hears it first... A voice whisper...  <br> <br> '''''Sun-Eater, Dark Father, Scourge of witches, The Judge, Master of all, Devourer of kingdoms, The Winter Hermit, Dread Emperor, Father of Curses, Doom of the World, Fell-Master, Sovereign of Demons, Worship and have peace... <br> Source of All Pain, The Great Hunger, Lightbane, Ruin of Trees, Water's Taint, Soulblight, Ever-gloom, Master of All, Father in Darkness, Believe and sleep... <br>  Devouver of Souls, Guardian of Secrets, Night Everlasting, The Devourer of Hope, Worship and live.... <br> The End of Hope, End of Dawn, Father of Murder...'''''<br><br>  The voices continued, as if taunting.  Thorton made jest at the night noises and he would be the first to feel it.  The Erenlanders fingers grew black and began to loose feeling...  Frostbight was setting in, the others, while cold, had no such effect.  Fearing that their new friend would die of the cold Durgaz threw him on shoulder and made way north, an hour off the site Thorton would survive the night.  The others planned to sleep, with warmth of the dragon and rejoin them in the morning following and cleaning Durgaz path.  <br>  On their way again all but Durgaz felt the remaining touch of this dark place, tainted by the very evil in the air. <br> They would make a good day of travel this day.  As the swamp grew denser they knew the Dead Marsh loomed... It was an Elf they sought and before nightfall it was an Elf they would find.  From afar she appeared to be of the ferral Jungle Elf, her wirey hair silhouetted by the sun.  She brushed her horse, but was it a horse?  It clearly displayed a sharp horn jutting from it's forehead...  Eranon called out as the heroes grew closer.  The woman answered.  They sought "answers"?  She had many to give!  As the Bog Hag revealed her Splinter Steed!!